Child drowns during church anniv

CEBU, Philippines - An eight-year-old girl died after she drowned in a swimming pool during the gathering of the members of Bright Morning Star Christian Church last Sunday afternoon.

The incident happened at the Bright Academy School in Barangay Banilad where the church’s 15th anniversary celebration was being held.

Investigation showed that Charlene Panilagan of Barangay Budlaan, Cebu City might have been playing near the adult pool and fell into the water. The child was not swimming prior to the incident.

SPO4 Alex Dacua said no one noticed the incident immediately because everyone was enjoying the celebration. When the child was eventually fished out of the water, she was rushed to the Gullas Medical Center nearby but did not make it alive.

Dacua said it was Panilagan’s relatives who were watching over her at that time since her father was playing basketball at the gymnasium. The victim’s mother was also busy tending to three other children aged one, three and five. Panilagan was the eldest child.

 Dacua said Panilagan was not a student of Bright Academy School and the church might just have chosen the venue to celebrate the anniversary because of its recreational facilities.

The school’s administration refused to comment on the incident pending investigation. (FREEMAN)